Martin Woods
Jessie James Vineyard Pinot Noir
Eola - Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
A profoundly backward Jessie James that took a strange, winding path over several days. Initially reduced and giving maybe 10%, with matchstick, damson, sour and mid-season cherry, mineral and very little aromatic expression. The palate was completely discombobulated at first, but the material was obvious: beautiful velvety tannins, tiny-berry fruit intensity, tremendous depth and an extraordinarily long, persistent finish. After about ninety minutes it briefly opened into something spectacular, with deep, voluminous perfume, sweet and sour cherries, mossy minerality and exotic spice, the nose easily operating at a 9.7 level. Then it closed again, the tannins took over and both nose and palate retreated. Two days later it is much more composed, silky and elegant, with pure red fruit, sour cherry and beautifully refined tannins. Very good, serious and clearly built to age, but not at the level of the great 2021 or 2022 Jessie James.
A profoundly backward Jessie James that took a strange, winding path over several days. Initially reduced and giving maybe 10%, with matchstick, damson, sour and mid-season cherry, mineral and very little aromatic expression. The palate was completely discombobulated at first, but the material was obvious: beautiful velvety tannins, tiny-berry fruit intensity, tremendous depth and an extraordinarily long, persistent finish. After about ninety minutes it briefly opened into something spectacular, with deep, voluminous perfume, sweet and sour cherries, mossy minerality and exotic spice, the nose easily operating at a 9.7 level. Then it closed again, the tannins took over and both nose and palate retreated. Two days later it is much more composed, silky and elegant, with pure red fruit, sour cherry and beautifully refined tannins. Very good, serious and clearly built to age, but not at the level of the great 2021 or 2022 Jessie James.
Aug 11th, 2026
This 2023 Pinot Noir was crafted by the terroir-focused and precision-driven producer—Martin Woods—with fruit coming from the Jessie James Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of Willamette, Oregon. This is an east-facing, dry farmed plot, sitting above rocky volcanic basalt soil.
It showcases the beauty and elegance of fruit coming from a higher elevation, wind-swept microclimate, giving voice to this unique site, which was densely planted in 1996 with selections of Wadenswil and Pommard clones.
Winemaking included a small % of whole clusters and a period of aging (19 months) in oak, gracefully contributing to aromatic complexity.
In the glass this wine was medium ruby in color and deeply perfumed with notes of raspberry, cherry, strawberry rhubarb, pomegranate, boysenberry, and blueberry singing in harmony with rose, star anise, vanilla, cardamom notes, a hint of wet stones, and a delicate forest floor characteristic. Flavors echo the nose and the firm acidity holds everything in place.
Almost like a dark-flavored berry compote served alongside the salty, buttery crab cakes, which enhances every aspect of the meal.
This 2023 Pinot Noir was crafted by the terroir-focused and precision-driven producer—Martin Woods—with fruit coming from the Jessie James Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of Willamette, Oregon. This is an east-facing, dry farmed plot, sitting above rocky volcanic basalt soil.
It showcases the beauty and elegance of fruit coming from a higher elevation, wind-swept microclimate, giving voice to this unique site, which was densely planted in 1996 with selections of Wadenswil and Pommard clones.
Winemaking included a small % of whole clusters and a period of aging (19 months) in oak, gracefully contributing to aromatic complexity.
In the glass this wine was medium ruby in color and deeply perfumed with notes of raspberry, cherry, strawberry rhubarb, pomegranate, boysenberry, and blueberry singing in harmony with rose, star anise, vanilla, cardamom notes, a hint of wet stones, and a delicate forest floor characteristic. Flavors echo the nose and the firm acidity holds everything in place.
Almost like a dark-flavored berry compote served alongside the salty, buttery crab cakes, which enhances every aspect of the meal.